Manager Clint Hurdle admitted before batting practice that there’s no one he would rather have on the mound tonight than Jeff Francis. Hard to blame him. Francis is 6-1 with a 1.86 ERA since May 7. It’s arguably the best stretch ever for a Rockies’ starter. Francis needs to stop more than a three-game losing streak. He must halt a disturbing trend. The Rockies starters gave up runs early in every Toronto loss and the starters’ ERA was a 9.20.

The lineup is the standard fare for the Rockies. With no DH, catcher Yorvit Torrealba occupies the eighth spot. The Cubs didn’t shake up their roster as some expected. In case you are wondering, Chicago Blackhawks coach Denis Savard will sing during the seventh-inning stretch.

I think the sweep of the Yankees will be the high point of the season. The bull pen once again reverted to their usual activities- blow games and not keep the score close. This team still needs a major makeover in the bullpen and needs 2 consistent pitchers in the 4 and 5 slots to even think of contending

mike p

I think the sweep of the Yankees will be the high point of the season. The bull pen once again reverted to their usual activities- blow games and not keep the score close. This team still needs a major makeover in the bullpen and needs 2 consistent pitchers in the 4 and 5 slots to even think of contending

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.